The topic of today’s article is “What is Opus Dei?” Many people who have studied early Christianity are aware of groups which practiced “asceticism”. Asceticism is from the Greek word “askesis” which literally means exercise or training. These sects of “ascetics” had the aim of spiritual purity, and used self-denial and punishment as a way to purify the body and obtain virtue. These practices were also included by other religious groups including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. Today, this practice is continued in the Catholic group Opus Dei, however this group is very quiet about both their beliefs and their practices.

The thought of harming the body to please God is totally contradictory to the scriptures. Please read the following verse as evidence: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (KJV) 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Even though “self-torture” is not pleasing to God, the Group Opus Dei uses many forms of Asceticism in their quest to please God. In this article I will describe some of their methods from personal accounts of ex-members, and methods which they use to control their subjects.

Corporal Mortification

The “Cilice”

According to Fr. Mike Barrett, director of the Holy Cross Chapel and Catholic Resource Center, members of Opus Dei do indeed use this “torture device” as seen in the movie the Davinci Code. Barrett said “Some of the celibate members of Opus Dei use the cilice. It's a small, light, metal chain with little prongs worn around the thigh. The cilice is uncomfortable--it's supposed to be--but it does not in any way hinder one's normal activities and there's absolutely no Da Vinci Code gore”[i]. He states there is no blood from the use of this device, but personal testimony says otherwise.

The “Discipline”

According to John Roche, who interviewed and published the secretive practices of Opus Dei, “self-torture” was continual and forced. Roche stated this ex Opus Dei member described the following:

“As a member of Opus Dei, I was expected to undertake a weekly discipline of private self-flagellation 40 strokes with a waxed, corded whip. We were encouraged to 'draw a little blood' and frequently told how 'the Father' the founder of the organization- drew so much blood that he spattered the walls and ceiling with it. I loathed it but my conscience gnawed at me to take it more frequently. When I asked if I could increase the number of times I carried out the practice I secretly hoped that permission would be refused. Instead, it was granted enthusiastically and, for the next 13 years, I took this discipline three times a week.”[ii].

The “discipline” is a cord-like whip which resembles a long whip made up of multiple single whips. Another description would be eight or ten whips connected to one handle. This chord is used to whip the naked buttocks and back, however the back is the primary location of “self-torture”. The members of Opus Dei are often told how the founder of Opus Dei, José Escrivá, used to whip himself to the point of splattering his blood on the walls and floors.

Additional forms of mortification

In addition to the “cilice” and the “discipline” there are other forms of corporal punishment which are performed on a daily basis. Most “numeraries”, celibate members who live in housing provided by Opus Dei, and some “supernumeraries” or married men and women who belong to Opus Dei, begin their day with cold showers. This is a way to begin their day in a manner which is uncomfortable, and is done for the purpose of self-denial. Numeraries are instructed upon being woke up by a knock on the door, to immediately become prostrate on the floor and kiss it as they recited the Latin saying “Serviam”, which translated means “I will serve”. Numeraries also partake in periods of “silence”. Numeraries do not speak to one another beginning in the evening until the next day after “Holy Mass”, and again from afternoon until dinner. Additional forms of mortification for females include sleeping on boards which are laid on top of the mattress and sleeping without a pillow on certain nights. For males, other forms of mortification include sleeping on the floor once per week and sleeping without a pillow on certain nights.

Questionable practices of control

Opus Dei places a priority on recruiting “faithful Catholics” into the organization, but their methods are similar to those used by many cults today. When a prospect is discovered or recommended the tactic of recruit is modified specifically to meet, discuss, and seek interest into joining. Current members are encouraged to maintain friendships with current members and prospective members, while ending friendships with non-members or uninterested recruits. Control is maintained through mandatory reporting to “spiritual directors”. New recruits are told of the spiritual involvement and rewards, while other important information is left out. For example, numeraries are expected to hand over their entire salary, cannot have their own bank account, are required to allow all emails (incoming and outgoing) to be monitored, only watch or listen to authorized TV and radio programs, report all appointments and notify their whereabouts at all times, and confess all sins to the on staff priest or their spiritual director.

Additionally, as with many cults, communication with one’s family is extremely limited and discouraged, isolation is one way which Opus Dei can maintain control, and without your own bank account and personal money, leaving is difficult.

While this is only a glimpse into the secretive group of Opus Dei, I hope it is obvious that this groups beliefs, teachings, methods, and influence are disturbing and contradictory to true Christianity.